University Health Network - Academy of Medicine Collection
Category
Pharmacy and Drug Artifacts
Classification
Pharmacy, General
Accession Number
1999.3.94 a-f
Description
Cream paper rectangular box (a) with end flaps and black text contains five separate rectangular cream paper folded packages (b-f) containing powder with black text; full box.
Cream paper rectangular box (a) with end flaps and black text contains five separate rectangular cream paper folded packages (b-f) containing powder with black text; full box.
On box: "Askit // A Quick Relief for Headaches and // Pains due to Neuralgia, Neuritis and // Rheumatism."; on side: "DIRECTIONS FOR USE // Mix the powder in a small glass of water and stir before taking, // or place on the tongue and swallow with a drink. Maximum // Adult daily dose two powders. Being in powder form "Askit" // 25 // is rapidly assimilated and quick results are thereby obtained."; on back panel: "Askit // is guaranteed to contain only the finest ingredients // - being in powder form it is rapidly assimilated // and quick results are thereby obtained. MADE IN SCOTLAND // ASKIT LTD., MANUFACTURING // CHEMISTS // GLASGOW"; side panel: "Each powder contains: // Acetylsalicylic Acid 750 mg. // Caffeine Citrate 100 mg. Magnesium Trisilicate 15 mg. // Caution: Keep this and all medications out of // the reach of children."; on end panels: "Distributor for Canada // Macpherson Agencies // P. O. Box 193 // Willowdale // Ont., Canada // 5 POWDERS // 25c // Lot No. 15"; on powder package: "Askit // For headaches and Pains due to // Neurlagia, Neuritis and Rheumatism. // A Word to Women: An "Askit" gives prompt relief in periodic pains."
Askit Powders were invented in Sweden in 1903 by the physician Herman Hjorton and manufactured under licence in Glasgow from 1917. In Sweden it was sold as Hjorton’s Powders after being invented by physician Herman Hjorton. By the 1950s it was shipping worldwide to expat Scots in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Key ingredient Phenacetin was first developed in 1887 and was discovered to ease headaches and fevers – but also cause renal failure with prolonged use.
A heavy marketing campaign targeted woman with slogans including ‘Askit fights the miseries’. They contained aspirin and caffeine along with the painkilling drug phenacetin, which was found to be highly addictive.
A link with the powder’s popularity and an increase in renal failure was made in the early 50s but phenacetin wasn’t removed from the product until 1966. Phenacetin was a great pain killer but it also gave people a buzz. The Askit Powder Company in Sweden and Glasgow also knew their products were causing deaths throughout the 1950s.
It was made in Glasgow in 1917 with the First World War coming to an end so there was a lot of walking wounded and people in pain.
With Askit there was no need to go to the doctors; you just went to your local shop to self-medicate.
The remedy was produced by Glasgow firm Askit Limited before being sold on to pharmaceutical firm Roche in the 70s. It was later taken over by German-based giants Bayer, who finally discontinued all Askit products in 2006.